My husband and I have wanted to take a cruise since the day we said, "I do". Here we are now. Grandparents and veterans of a military lifestyle. Scott was always the adventurous spirit in this marriage. Not me. But I decided that if we were finally going on a cruise, it was time for this to change!
We set out of Ft. Lauderdale with some friends. Excursions were planned and I was excited to tell others that I was going to do some snorkeling and swim with manta rays! Cool, right?! I had the opportunity to practice in the still waters of a swimming pool at our first port. The day was so beautiful, the surroundings were breathtaking, and I just wanted to savor every moment of this paradise. After all, I had waited a very long time to come to a tropical island like this. Don't want to waste a minute doing something I simply didn't feel like doing. So, I appeased my husband and friends. Put on the snorkel gear. Secured the mask and gave it a try. Now, back to relaxing.
The moment came to observe the beauty beneath the surface of the waters. First stop, we would be 8-12 feet from the sand and coral below. With some apprehension and determination to not back out now, I allowed myself to step off the boat and into the water. This was going to be an amazing adventure for me to tell the kids and grandkids when we get home! They are going to be inspired by how I let go of past fears.
The water enveloped me and... I panicked. The waves were not concerned with my desire to keep my head above water while I built up the courage to dip my mask in and look below. As I tried to get my bearings and steady my nerves, my feet frantically searched for a solid surface knowing they would find none. My husband was right there at my side immediately. His voice was calm and his hands strong, despite the fact that he, too, was floating in the deep waters. His voice was familiar, but so was my fear.
In Matthew 14, Jesus has demonstrated a miraculous feeding of more than five thousand with only five loaves of bread and two fish. The disciples have had a front row seat to this and many other miracles. They have trusted Jesus in a way they left all they had, family, friends, and possessions, to follow Him. At this moment, though, they see Jesus walking across the turbulent waves. Is there anything this Man can't do?!
We hear from one disciple, Peter, when Jesus tells them to "Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid." (vs. 27) The friends go from thinking they are seeing a ghost to recognizing it is the one they trust the most with their lives. YET - only one is willing to move.
Luke 14:28-30 And Peter answered Him and said, 'Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.' So He said, 'Come.' And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, 'Lord, save me!'
I've been a part of the crowd in applauding Peter's faith to step out of the boat while the others stayed behind. I've been a part of the other crowd, too, who could have easily jeered at Peter's limited faith as he began to sink. Peter did step out of the boat. He stepped into rough waters when he had committed that if it was Jesus and Jesus called him, he would go. He also knew that when he began to sink, the one and only thing to do was to call on Jesus to save him. He knew Jesus' voice when He spoke and he knew the feel of Jesus' hand when his courage was failing.
Luke 14:31-32 And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, 'O you of little faith, why did you doubt?' And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.
When we put our trust in Jesus, He will remain close enough to hear our cries and we will sense His nearness. Just as Peter reached out and Jesus took hold of Him, our Savior is still a God who rescues. Even if we fail to keep our eyes fixed on Him and we begin to see the situation, allowing fear to creep in, don't give up and do not ever think Jesus is giving up on you!
When I was gripped by fear in the water that day, my loving husband was right there. He saw me safely back to the boat, along with the one on the boat who pulled the safety rope to which I was clinging. Loving, compassionate eyes were on me until my heartrate had steadied its pace. The boat captain asked about what caused my fear, but my husband did not. The one who knows me comforted me without criticism. He also told me he was proud of me for trying. He knew this was a huge leap for me.
Now, if I have one question from Matthew's retelling of Peter's moment on the waves, it is this: Why didn't Jesus calm the wind and waves before Peter stepped out? Hmmm? I guess I may never know - at least not until my feet are off the earth's dirt floor.
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